Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method, comprising: modeling, in a computer memory, multiple parallel instances of a multi-dimensional virtual reality space, each of the plurality of parallel instances replicating the multi-dimensional virtual reality space; assigning ones of a plurality of modeled multi-dimensional avatars within the computer memory so that each of the plurality of avatars populates a respective one of the parallel instances and each of the plurality of parallel instances is populated by a unique subset of the plurality of avatars, wherein the assigning limits a total number of the plurality of avatars in each of the unique subsets; and generating an additional parallel instance of the multi-dimensional virtual reality space, based on detecting an increase in a number of a plurality of client devices providing input to the modeling for controlling ones of the plurality of modeled multi-dimensional avatars.
The method involves creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory. Each avatar is placed into one of these instances, limiting the number of avatars per instance and ensuring each instance has a unique set. When more users (client devices) connect and control avatars, a new parallel instance of the virtual reality space is automatically created to distribute the load. This prevents overcrowding in any single instance of the virtual world.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising relocating an avatar from a first one of the parallel instances to a second one of the parallel instances in response to determining that a number of avatars in the first one of the parallel instances has reached a predetermined limit.
The method of creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory; assigning avatars so that each populates a respective parallel instance, limiting the number of avatars per instance; and generating a new instance when more users connect, further includes moving avatars between instances. If one instance becomes too crowded (reaches a limit), some avatars are relocated to a less populated instance to maintain balanced population across the parallel virtual worlds.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising modeling actions of the plurality of avatars populating different ones of the parallel instances in response to input from respective corresponding ones of the plurality of client devices to provide virtual-reality data in the computer memory, the virtual-reality data configured to enable the client devices to output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel instances and avatars assigned thereto.
The method of creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory; assigning avatars so that each populates a respective parallel instance, limiting the number of avatars per instance; and generating a new instance when more users connect, also includes animating avatars within their respective parallel instances based on user input from client devices. This animation data is then used by those client devices to display the animated virtual world and the avatars present within it in each parallel instance.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising modeling a common space in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that at least one object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances.
The method of creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory; assigning avatars so that each populates a respective parallel instance, limiting the number of avatars per instance; and generating a new instance when more users connect, includes a shared virtual space that's common to all the parallel instances. An object within this common space is visible from any viewpoint in any of the individual parallel instances, providing a point of reference or shared experience across the different virtual worlds.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising modeling a common space in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an avatar originating from the common space is capable of passing into a selected one of the plurality of parallel instances.
The method of creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory; assigning avatars so that each populates a respective parallel instance, limiting the number of avatars per instance; and generating a new instance when more users connect, incorporates a shared virtual space accessible from all instances. An avatar originating in the common space can enter any of the individual parallel instances, enabling travel and interaction between the separate virtual worlds.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting which one of the plurality of parallel instances the avatar is capable of passing into based at least in part on a total number of the plurality of avatars populating each of the plurality of parallel instances.
The method, which includes creating multiple parallel virtual world instances, assigning avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and creating new instances on increased client load, includes a shared common area where avatars can originate and then enter one of the parallel instances. The specific parallel instance the avatar enters is chosen based on the current number of avatars in each instance, directing users to less populated worlds for a better experience.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking analogous objects in different ones of the parallel instances and moving any displaced ones of the analogous objects so that positions of analogous objects within each of the parallel instance tend to converge over time.
The method of creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory; assigning avatars so that each populates a respective parallel instance, limiting the number of avatars per instance; and generating a new instance when more users connect, involves maintaining consistency between corresponding objects across parallel instances. If an object is moved or changed in one instance, similar objects in other instances are adjusted to maintain alignment and prevent discrepancies between the parallel virtual worlds.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising modeling an interface space between at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel instances including an overlapping region that is interactive with the at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel instances.
The method of creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory; assigning avatars so that each populates a respective parallel instance, limiting the number of avatars per instance; and generating a new instance when more users connect, creates a transitional space between adjacent parallel instances. This space includes a region where users can interact with both parallel instances simultaneously, blending the virtual experiences.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions, that when executed by a computer, cause the computer perform operations including: modeling, in a computer memory, multiple parallel instances of a multi-dimensional virtual reality space, each of the plurality of parallel instances replicating the multi-dimensional virtual reality space; assigning ones of a plurality of modeled multi-dimensional avatars within the computer memory so that each of the plurality of avatars populates a respective one of the parallel instances and each of the plurality of parallel instances is populated by a unique subset of the plurality of avatars, wherein the assigning limits a total number of the plurality of avatars in each of the unique subsets; and generating an additional parallel instance of the multi-dimensional virtual reality space, in response to detecting an increased number of a plurality of client devices providing input to the modeling for controlling ones of the plurality of modeled multi-dimensional avatars.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions for creating multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory. Avatars are assigned to instances, limiting the number of avatars per instance. When more users (client devices) connect and control avatars, a new parallel instance of the virtual reality space is automatically created to distribute the load. This prevents overcrowding in any single instance of the virtual world.
10. An apparatus comprising a computer processor coupled to a memory holding instructions, that when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus perform operations including: modeling, in a computer memory, multiple parallel instances of a multi-dimensional virtual reality space, each of the plurality of parallel instances replicating the multi-dimensional virtual reality space; assigning ones of a plurality of modeled multi-dimensional avatars within the computer memory so that each of the plurality of avatars populates a respective one of the parallel instances and each of the plurality of parallel instances is populated by a unique subset of the plurality of avatars, wherein the assigning limits a total number of the plurality of avatars in each of the unique subsets; and generating an additional parallel instance of the multi-dimensional virtual reality space, in response to detecting an increased number of a plurality of client devices providing input to the modeling for controlling ones of the plurality of modeled multi-dimensional avatars.
An apparatus has a computer processor and memory, and is programmed to create multiple identical copies (parallel instances) of a virtual reality space within computer memory. Avatars are assigned to instances, limiting the number of avatars per instance. When more users (client devices) connect and control avatars, a new parallel instance of the virtual reality space is automatically created to distribute the load. This prevents overcrowding in any single instance of the virtual world.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for relocating an avatar from a first one of the parallel instances to a second one of the parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, also allows avatars to be moved from one instance to another.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for relocating an avatar from a first one of the parallel instances to a second one of the parallel instances in response to user input signifying a request to relocate the avatar.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, also allows avatars to be moved from one instance to another in response to a user requesting the move.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for relocating an avatar from a first one of the parallel instances to a second one of the parallel instances in response to determining that a number of avatars in the first one of the parallel instances has reached a predetermined limit.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, also allows avatars to be moved from one instance to another if one instance gets too full.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for modeling actions of the plurality of avatars populating different ones of the parallel instances in response to input from respective corresponding ones of the plurality of client devices to provide virtual-reality data in the computer memory, the virtual-reality data configured to enable the client devices to output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel instances and avatars assigned thereto.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, also animates the avatars based on input from connected client devices. These client devices receive data to display the animated virtual world of their assigned instance.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for relocating avatars from the plurality of parallel instances into the additional parallel instance.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, moves avatars from existing instances into the newly created instance.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for modeling a common space in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that at least one object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, includes a shared virtual space that's common to all the parallel instances. An object within this common space is visible from any viewpoint in any of the individual parallel instances.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for animating at least one avatar populating the common space in response to input from a corresponding one of the client devices, to provide the virtual-reality data further enabling the corresponding client device to output an animated display including at least a portion of each of the plurality of parallel instances and avatars populated therein.
The apparatus, with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, and including a common space that is visible from all the instances, also animates avatars within the common space based on user input. The client device then displays the common space and a portion of each parallel instance.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for modeling a common space in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that a modeled object originating from the common space is capable of passing into at least a portion of each of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, incorporates a shared virtual space accessible from all instances. An object in the common space can enter any of the parallel instances.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for replicating the modeled object passing into the plurality of parallel instances so that a replica of the object is modeled in each of the plurality of parallel instances after the object passes from the common space.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, create new instances on increased client load, and incorporate a common shared space, replicates objects that pass from the common space into each parallel instance, creating a copy of the object within each world.
20. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for modeling a common space in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an avatar originating from the common space is capable of passing into a selected one of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, incorporates a shared virtual space accessible from all instances. An avatar originating in the common space can enter any of the individual parallel instances.
21. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for selecting which one of the plurality of parallel instances the avatar is capable of passing into based at least in part on a total number of the plurality of avatars populating each of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus, which includes creating multiple parallel virtual world instances, assigning avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and creating new instances on increased client load, includes a shared common area where avatars can originate and then enter one of the parallel instances. The specific parallel instance the avatar enters is chosen based on the current number of avatars in each instance.
22. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for selecting which one of the plurality of parallel instances the avatar is capable of passing into based at least in part on a corresponding user preference.
The apparatus, which includes creating multiple parallel virtual world instances, assigning avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and creating new instances on increased client load, includes a shared common area where avatars can originate and then enter one of the parallel instances. The selection of which instance an avatar enters is based on user preferences.
23. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for tracking analogous objects in different ones of the parallel instances and moving any displaced ones of the analogous objects so that positions of analogous objects within each of the parallel instance tend to converge over time.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, involves maintaining consistency between corresponding objects across parallel instances. If an object is moved or changed in one instance, similar objects in other instances are adjusted to maintain alignment.
24. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for collapsing at least two of the plurality of parallel instances into a combined instance populated by the avatars formerly in the first and second ones of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, can merge two parallel instances into one, combining the avatars of both instances into the resulting combined world.
25. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for automatically animating an avatar present in multiple ones of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, automatically animates an avatar present in multiple instances. This likely implies that if an avatar is present in multiple instances, its actions in one instance are mirrored in others.
26. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for modeling an interface space between at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel instances including an overlapping region that is interactive with the at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, creates a transitional space between adjacent parallel instances. This space includes a region where users can interact with both parallel instances simultaneously.
27. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory holds further instructions for providing a communication channel between avatars populating different ones of the plurality of parallel instances.
The apparatus with a processor and memory programmed to create multiple parallel virtual world instances, assign avatars to these instances while limiting population per instance, and create new instances on increased client load, provides a communication channel (e.g., voice chat, text messaging) between avatars residing in different parallel instances.
Unknown
August 19, 2014
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